Colin Davis – Southampton

April 2017

Pensioner jailed for sexually abusing boys at Southampton children’s home

A PENSIONER who used his position as a Southampton children’s home boss to sexually abuse young boys in his care will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Colin Dennis Davis was found guilty, after a six-week long trial, of abusing young boys in his care living at the former Salerno Road children’s home over a number of years, while he was running the home.

Members of the public, victims and jurors packed out of the public gallery to watch the sentencing at Southampton Crown Court today.

Judge Peter Ralls told the 75-year-old he will face 18 years behind bars for his crimes.

A jury found Davis guilty of 30 of the 49 offences he was accused of which involved children aged between 11 and 18 years old.

During the case the jury were told how Davis, of Lingfield Gardens, abused his authority in order to abuse some of the boys in his care over a number of years when he was running the home.

The pensioner has been found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against a male, nine charges for multiple incidents of indecent assault against a male, two counts of serious sex offences, two charges for multiple incidents of serious sex offences, two charges for attempted sex offences, one count of indecency with a child and one charge of attempted indecent assault against a male.

From the original 49 charges, the jury were unable to reach a verdict on six of the charges, found him not guilty of one, while a further eight were withdrawn.

Some of the abuse would take place at bath time and when Davis “checked” the boys’ bedrooms at night.

The court heard how one 12-year-old victim was sexually assaulted in Davis’ bedroom after being left on his own at the home, which closed down in 2013, on Christmas Eve.

Another alleged he was molested on his first night at the home after visiting Davis in his room because he was upset.

One of the victims also claimed he was made to perform sex acts on him when he was just 11 years old.

A further man said he was sometimes forced to have sex with Davis before or after school when he was aged 14.

One man said he was sexually assaulted and forced to have during what Davis called a “medical assessment”.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Davis exploited the trust of a group of vulnerable young people placed in his care for his own twisted gratification.

“It’s thanks to his victims’ courage in speaking out about their traumatic ordeals, which will have had a profound impact on their lives, that Davis is now behind bars.

“This case is further proof that survivors of abuse will be listened to – no matter how much time has passed – and offenders will be brought to justice for their crimes.

March 2017

Southampton children’s care home boss guilty of 30 child sex offences

A CHILDREN’S home boss has been found guilty sexually abusing boys in his care during the late 70s and early 80s.

A jury found 75-year-old Colin Dennis Davis guilty of 30 of the 49 offences he was accused of that involved boys between 11 and 18 years old who lived at the former Salerno Road children’s home in Southampton.

The verdict comes after a six-week long trial at Southampton Crown Court.

Davis, of Lingfield Gardens, has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced next Friday.

Judge Peter Ralls told the pensioner he would face a “significant sentence”.

Davis has been found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault against a male, nine charges for multiple incidents of indecent assault against a male, two counts of serious sex offences, two charges for multiple incidents of serious sex offences, two charges for attempted sex offences, one count of indecency with a child and one charge of attempted indecent assault against a male.